WIPO – ICC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY TRAINING WORKSHOP, GENEVA 15-16 SEPT 2008

1. Bola Olabisi, LLM, FRSA, Founder & CEO Global Women Inventors & Innovators Network (GWIIN) WIPO – ICC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY TRAINING WORKSHOP, GENEVA 15-16 SEPT 2008

2. OUTLINE OF PRESENTATION • INTRODUCTION • BRIEF OVERVIEW OF ACTIVITIES BY GWIIN • THE IMPORTANCE • THE CHALLENGES • CONCLUDING REMARKS

3. INTRODUCTION TO GWIIN Our aim An initiative set up to increase the participation and position of creative, inventive and innovative women in all sectors of industry while increasing job creation for a better quality of life. Known for our Innovative projects, knowledge exchange symposiums, Exhibitions, Seminars and Award Ceremonies Went into partnership with London Metropolitan University extending into Europe. Ten years of incubating innovation, enterprise and technology 1998-2008

4. Started in the UK in 1998 Initial Supportive Stakeholders include • HSBC PLC • The UK Patent Office (now UKIPO) • London Development Agency • Welsh Assembly Government • Chartered Institute of Patent Agents (CIPA) • Small Business Service, Department of Trade & Industry (now BEER) • UK Trade & Investment • Institute of Patents & Inventors • International Federation of Inventors Association (IFIA) • WIPO

5. GWIIN LTD is asocial enterprise consultancy `with certain activities and projects that are primarily not for profit with a membership of 3650 worldwide

6. KNOWLEDGE TRANSFER AT THE GWIIN EVENTS

7. ASIA PACIFIC – SINGAPORE 2004– Particular focus on involving the youth in innovation, IPR and product development

8. PAN-AFRICA – PAWIIN GHANA 2005 300 in attendance with a willingness to learn, contribute and aspire A major outcome was that – Demystifyintellectual Property Rights (IPR) ensure it is part of any Business plan

9. LATIN AMERICA 2006 – MEXWII in Mexico City–Knowledge transfer on IPR was found to be most valuable

10. Europe 2007 – Berlinlaunched at the European Parliament in Brussels and first conference and Awards in Berlin now have 22 European countries on board

11. Celebration March for launch of the GWIIN Southern Africa Chapter (SAWIIS)

12. SAWIIS 2008 - Over 1500 women in attendance wanting to understand and learn more about protection of their commercially viable ideas and how to exploit effectively

13. SAWIIS LAUNCH 2008It was necessary to gain government support - Led by Women Ministers with the support of the President and Vice President of SA

14. So Why does GWIIN find it so important? Women already face certain challenges - barriers that are particularly faced by women are, challenges such as childcare, caring responsibilities, pay gaps, several male dominated sectors, access to finance, access to relevant information …. however being exceptionally creative, an inventor or innovator can bring an extra raft of challenges

15. A general lack of visibility and the need for role models and mentors - We usually ask the question : Name THREE Women Scientists from your country ? Women Engineers from your country ? Women Inventors and their inventions from your country ?

16. The lone female inventor or innovator & Low tech, High viability - Women’s creativity is still under-utilised around world - Stereotyping and expectations for high tech leaves a high percentage of women invisible for their contribution to economic and social growth This has meant… Many Low-tech, practical, commercially viable products invented or innovated by women are not always recognised as capable of making a significant contribution to the manufacturing industry and economy.

17. GWIIN collaborates with various projects FOR EXAMPLE: • Equalitec – assisting women returners in Science, Engineering and Technology • Working closely with WITEC • A member of the European Platform for women Scientists However, GWIIN recognises and promotes that being ‘innovative’ is not only about technology based processes but instead is relevant throughout all business practises and the broader working environment. i.e. R& D, converting ideas into new products, new internal processes increasing efficiency, new external ways of conducting business and even new partnership formations expanding the knowledge and assets of a company

18. Why is it so important? Intellectual Property has never been more important. Our prosperity increasingly depends on our ability to turn inventions, ideas, know-how and reputation into value. How well are we making use of IP and what can we do to improve and discuss an effective way forward for women ?

19. In the UK, in the past 5 years only 2.5% of the applications for patents were women GWIIN recognises the need to bridge this gap and serves as a catalyst and intermediary broker’ for facilitating inclusion, development and success for women inventors and innovators worldwide. GWIIN has developed various much needed capacity building tools to assist inventive and innovative women in achieving significant growth in their businesses and workplaces.

20. GWIIN designed and delivered a Route Map for London’s innovative diverse businesses

21. Example: Trade Marks, Confidentiality Agreement, Patents, Registered design, Copy rights, trade secrets

22. Concluding Remarks • There is a need to carry out R&D on the barriers that are causing the low percentage of applications filed for patents by women • There should be a more committed effort of outreach work and dedicated policies by Government departments and their agencies to join forces and work in collaboration with ‘intermediary initiatives’ like GWIIN and similar Women’s Networks like QUIN Finland, Estonia,KWIA (Korea) across the Globe

23. 4 Diary Dates - Join us as we continue to share good practice, network, address issues, increase motivation and broaden horizons – Each event consists of 3 days of conference, exhibition and Awards ceremonies and one day is devoted entirely to the issues of IPR – • British Female Inventor & Innovator Network (BFIIN), Scotland25-27 March 2009 • Pan African Women Inventor & Innovator Network (PAWIIN) 20-22 May 2009, Dakar, Senegal • European Union Women Inventor & Innovator Network (EUWIIN) 7-9 October 2009, Finland • Global Women Inventor & Innovator Network, 9-11 December 2009 Vietnam

24. GWIIN – creating toolboxes that foster innovation and encourage inclusiveness TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT GWIIN & OUR ACTIVITIES VISIT www.gwiin.com